If Raging Firebrand reduces the energy cost of the next spell you play, and you begin playing a spell with the cost reduction applied but the spell gets countered, does the cost reduction apply again to the next spell you attempt to play?

Ruling: No, the cost reduction from Raging Firebrand is consumed when you apply it during the process of playing a spell, even if that spell is later countered.

Nuances:

• "Play" in the context of cost reductions and prevention effects refers to the act of playing a card (including pending and finalizing), not just successfully resolved spells
• "When you play" trigger conditions specifically require the card to have been successfully played (resolved), but cost modifications apply during the playing process itself
• If a spell is countered, it wasn't "played" for purposes of "when you play" triggers, but the cost reduction was still applied during the attempt